Tech founders back next generation of entrepreneurs

Article by The University of Auckland Published: 20 April 2026

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We're proud to share that Hiraya Ventures has established the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Alumni Fund at the University of Auckland, supporting Velocity and other CIE programmes so more students can pursue their startup ambitions at no cost.

This is a full circle moment for us. Kami, the company that gave Alliv and Hengjie their start, began in 2012 as a student project developed through Velocity's $100k Challenge. Supporting CIE is our way of investing back into the exact programme that turned that early idea into a company now used by over 70 million teachers and students worldwide. We know firsthand what the right support at the right moment can make possible, and we're glad to help create that same opportunity for the next generation of Kiwi entrepreneurs.

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